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Is biotechnology the answer?: Benefits and bottlenecks |
L. THRANE, Council for Biotechnology Information, PO Box 34380, Washington, DC 20043-0380 Plant biotechnology is an issue that defies conventional wisdom. Despite the hysteria in Europe and blaring headlines about dead butterflies and toxic taco shells, most people aren't paying very much attention. And despite all the hoopla, farmers continue to expand their acreage of biotech crops. Nonetheless, opponents remain determined to uproot the technology - either by whipping up a broadbased consumer boycott, by convincing policymakers to pass laws and regulations that would impede its entry into the marketplace or by literally disrupting research and field tests. The science behind biotechnology is clear. But the emotions about it are hard to read. What then do people really know and think about biotechnology? What do they like about it? What are their concerns? In its seventh quarterly tracking poll of people in the United States and Canada CBI found that people remain largely unaware that biotechnology has transformed many ingredients in the food they eat everyday. Only about half have heard a lot or some about the issue and are aware that it is in goods on grocery store shelves; only about 30 percent think they have eaten biotech foods. At the same time, more than half think biotech foods are just as safe as other foods, and large majorities agree that biotechnology can help create new medicines, allow farmers to grow more and better food and also help protect the environment. On the concern side, about a third think biotech may pose risks to health or the environment and two out of five think it is not regulated strictly enough. Research also shows that the more people know about biotechnology, the more they see it as a benefit to mankind. Ignorance could indeed be the biggest bottleneck to the development and commercialization of future biotech food and agricultural products.
Session 21, How will we feed the world in 2025?
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